Apparatus for automatically supplying and heating water for various uses.



N. E. ROYER..

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SUPPLYING AND HEATING WATER FOR VARIOUS USES. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2III I9I6.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

N. E. ROYER. APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SUPPLYING AND HEATING WATER FOR VARIOUS USES.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE28. I9I6I 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- N. E. ROYER.

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SUPPLYING AND HEATING WATER FOR VARIOUS USES.

APPLICATION FILED lUNE 28.1916.

[Fave/z Zor EU WFATE NOAH E. BUYER. 0F EMPIRE, CALIFORNIA.

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SUPPLYING AND HEATING WATER FOR VARIOUS USES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 4t, 91m.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NOAH'E. Borne, a citizen of the United States, residing at Empire, in the county of Stanislaus and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Supplying and Heating Water for Various Uses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for heating water and for generating steam for general uses, such as washing various articles, sterilizing vessels or receptacles, preserving and canning different articles of food, and for cleansing fabrics. One object of the invention is to provide a comparatively simple apparatus having an auto matic operation to control .the ingress of water thereto from a supply main and to maintain a uniform level in accordance with a predetermined adjustment in a containing receptacle constituting one of the essential features of the invention and operating as the prime means for effecting the several uses and applications of the apparatus, and

' also to utilize in connection with a heating means a water circulating system relatively to the container and whereby the water may be maintained at the temperature desired and necessary to carry on the several opera tions for which the improved apparatus is adapted.

The invention consists in the preferred construction and arrangement of the several parts and the subcombinations of these parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying the features of the invention, parts thereof being broken away and in section.

Fig. 2 is an end ele ation of the apparatus showing parts thereof in section.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken in the plane of the line 33, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section takenin the plane of the line 4i, Fig. 3, and showing a part of the container.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section through a water jacket surrounding and forming a part of one of the heaters.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line 66, Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detail horizontal section of a portion of the heater taken through the bowl thereof and showing a modification in the form of the water acket.

The numeral 5 designates a container or receptacle which may be of any dimensions and general contour, but which as shown is preferably of rectangular form to adapt the same to a large heating surface or so that the bottom 6 thereof may give a large heating expanse for effectively heating the water admitted to the container or receptacle for carrying on the several operations for which the improved apparatus is adapted. The container or receptacle 5 is also preferably of large dimensions so that it may have considerable capacity; and removably applied to the top of the container or receptacle 5 is a deep cover 7 having openings or outlets 8 therein which have cooperating valves or pivoted dampers 9 for a purpose which will be presently explained. The container or receptacle 5 will be heated from a suitable source of heat generation, orthe water that is fed thereto may be given the proper heat by any means adapted rounded by outer jackets 14: which form with the bowls water spaces 15; and through the jackets and bowls are openings 16 closed by doors 17 having transparent panels 18 of any suitable form. The openings 16 are large enough to remove and replace the burners of the heaters 12 and the latter are supplied with fuel by means of a pipe 19 running from a source of supply, as at 20. The water jackets around the bowls 13 operate similarly to a water back and are braced by vertically disposed spaced rods 21 secured to the inner surface thereof by any suitable means, these rods extending from points above the bottom to points near the top of the jackets, as shown by Fig. 5.

The rods 21 are dispensed with at the fronts of the bowls and jackets so as to avoid iuterference with the formation of the openings 16 for giving access to the burners within the bowls 13. From the lower por- 110.

tion of each jacket 14 a circulating pipe 22 extends upwardly through the lower por- Within the frame 10 two 85 tion of one side of the container or receptacle close to the bottom (3 of the latter, and from the top of each jacket to a point some distance above the point of connection 5 of the pipe 22 with the container a second circulating pipe 23 is arranged so that water of a low temperature may be taken from the bottom of the receptacle or container 5 and fed into the lower or bottom portion of each jacket and the heated water taken from the top of each jacket and fed into the container or receptacle at a point some distance above the bottom 6 of the latter and thereby provide a heating circulation relatively to the water to maintain the Water in the container or receptacle at the proper temperature to perform the work desired.

ater is supplied to the container or receptacle 5 by automatically operating devices which will now be particularly described. Connected to one end of the container or reis an inlet pipe 2% extending from ceptacle o a T-coupling having a vertical supply connection 26 depending therefrom and also connected to a lower T-coupiing 27 in turn connected by a branch pipe or nipple 28 opening into a further T-coupling 29 on the upper end of a supply pipe 30 which may run from a water main or other water source. connection 26. as shown by Fig. 2, is reduced in the form of a valve seat 31, and in the lower end of the T-coupling a plug 32 is fitted and rendered removable by the screwthreaded connection thereof as-siiown, said plug having a vertical bore 33 extending partially thercthrough and opening out at the top thereof. Secured to the top of the T-coupling is a guide plug 3-l having a bore therethrough as at and movably extending through this guide plug 3%, the T- coupling 25 and valve seat 31 is an elongated valve stem 36 having a valve 37 mounted thereon and engaging screw- 45 threads 38, as shown by Fig. 3, and held in place by suitable nuts 39 engaging the upper and lower ends thereof. The lower extremity of the valve stem 36 is vertically movable in the bore 33 of the plug 3:2, and the guide 5 plug 34.- has an upper packing gland 40 to prevent leakage around the valve stem 36 working therein. Connected to the T-cou pling 29 at the extremity thereof opposite to the connection or nipple 28 is a support- 55 ing connect-ion 41 in the form of a hollow plug closed at one end, as clearly shown by Fig. 3, and this supporting connection also engages a T-coupling 42 from which a pipe 43 extends inwardly and upwardly to the boteo'tom 6 of the container or receptacle 5, as shown by Figs. 1 and 4. Rising from the upper end of the T-coupling 42 is a standard or fulcrum support 44 adjacent to the end of the container or receptacle 5 and engages the 5'center of an outstanding brace orarrn 45,

The lower extremity of the supply and in the upper end of the standard or support t lis a closing screw stem it; with an upper bifurcated cud 4-7 which forms the intermediate. fulcrum means for a rocking lever 48, the lever being pivoted in the bil'urcated end 47 of the stem 4-6, as at if). The valve stem 36 is movably attached to one end of the rocking lever 48 and to the same end the upper terminal of a spring 50 is attached and extends downwardly and is scoured to the connection or nipple 28 as shown by Fig. 3. Adjustably mounted on the opposite end of the rocking lever 48 is a tubular support or stem 51 which is fully open throughout its length and is connected to the center of the top dome 52 of a gravitatingcontroller 53 which is in the form of a supplemental tank and has a flexible pipe 54 connected to and opening in at the bottom thereof and also connected to the lower portion of the T-coupling 42 so that there is a direct communication between the controller 53 and the bottom of the container or receptacle 5 by means of the pipes 54 and ill and the T-coupling *2. The supporting stem 51 of the controller 53 is mounted in a guide 55 secured on the end of the rocking lever 48 and provided with a set-screw so whereby the adjustment of the said stem 31 and controller 53 may be fixed to regulate the operation of the apparatus as desired. The controller 53 may rise and fall or be adjusted without the least interference Wltll the sup ply of water thereto in view of the fact that the pipe 5-l is flexible and is primarily given such length as to zu'commodate all operative and adjusted conditions. Projecting outwardly from the T-coupling 27 is a faucet 57 whereby cold water may be used from the apparatus or drawn from the cold water supply for any purpose desired. and in like manner a faucet 58 extends outwardly from the T-coupling -12 to provide for the use of hot water.

A rack 59 is adapted to be rcmovably arranged in the container or receptacle 5 to support bottles, jars or other utensils above the water level to heat the contents of the bottles, jars, etc. or to sterilize the latter. or in some instances to cleanse the same. The rack 59 may be of any :IPPXOVQtl structure and is preferably made of wire of suitable gage and strength.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: The controller 53 is primarily set by adjusting the stem 51 thereof relatively to the rocking lever 48 to obtain the level of Water desired in the container or receptacle 5, and the water is then permitted to run into the container from the supply pipe 30 by way of the nipple or connection 28. T- coupling 27. valve seat 31, supply connection 26, T-conpling :25 and pipe 12-4, and from the container the water passes by way of the pipes 22 into the jackets or water inseam-a spaces 15 of the heaters and then back through the pipes 23 into the container, the

valve 37 remaining open through the tension of the spring 50 attached to the end of the lever 18 at the point adjacent to the attachment of the valve stem 36 to said lever. The tension of the spring 50 is sufficient to overcome considerable water weight in the controller 53 and the controller and its stein combined. When the water has reached a predetermined level in the container or receptacle 5 a similar level of the water will be eliected in the controller 53 as the said controller is fed by the pipe 4:3 connecting with the T-coupling 4:2 and the pipe 54; attached to the bottom of the controller.

lVhen the desired level of water has been reached in the container the quantity of water in the controller will then be of such welght as to automatically overcome the resistance of the spring 50 and the said 0011- troller and its stem 51 together with the end of the rocking lever 48 to which the said stem is attached will depress, thereby elevating the opposite extremity of the said rocking lever and pulling upwardly on the valve stem 36 to bring the valve 87 closely against the valve seat 31 and shut off the supply of water to the container or receptacle As the water vaporizes or steams and gradually diminishes in the container or receptacle 5 the water in the controller 58 will similarly diminish. the water level both in the controller and the container being at all times uniform. lvhen the water in the container and the controller diminishes to such an extent that the weight of the controller 53 by reason of the diminished quantity of water therein will be overcome by the spring 50. the said controller and its stem will be elevated through the action of said spring and the valve stem 36 lowered and the valve 3? opened to again supply the container or receptacle 5 with water from the supply pipe 30, This operation will regularly ensue as long as it is desired to have the apparatus active and various cleansing and sterilizing operations may be carried on in the container or receptacle or the said container may be used as a boiler or cleansing means for fabrics or other articles. The improved apparatus is particularly useful and convenient in dairies for sterilizing milk bottles, ans and other utensils that have been used as milk containers. and the cans may be thoroughly sterilized and cleansed by turning the same up side down on the cover 7 over the openings or vents 8 after first shifting the valves or dampers 9 to uncover said openings, as clearly shown by Fig. 2. Milk pails may be similarly disposed on the top of the cover 7 as shown by Fig. The valvesor dampers 9 are closed only long enough over the openings or vents 8 to permit the water to heat more rapidly, but when water reaches a degree of heat where steam may be generated and accumulate above the water level, the openings or vents 8 are opened so as to permit the steam to escape and avoid pressure on the water and a consequent modification of the water level in the controller, the openingsor vents 8 being exposed to a degree in proportion to the amount of steam within the rece iitaclc. The openings or vents 8 may be uncovered without in the least detracting from the etliciency of the operation sought in cleansing or sterilizing articles that may be placed on the rack within the receptacle. When articles are placed on the top of the cover 7 the openings or vents 8 may be fully uncovered so as to permit a tree outflow of the steam from the interior of the receptacle 5 to sterilize and cleanse cans, pails br other devices disposed on the said cover. It is proposed to use the apparatus for any purpose to which it may be applicable other than for the particular services mentioned, and also to vary the proportions, dimensions and minor details of the several parts. It is also preferred that all of the parts of the apparatus be constructed of metal except the pipe at and that said metal be of a non-corrosive charactor. It will be seen that the container or receptacle 5 may be readily cleansed as it is freely accessible by removing the cover 7. and as shown by Fig. '7 the water jacket feature may be applied to the heater bowls 13 without utilizing a part of the bowls as the inner wall of the jacket, and in this particular structure of the water jacket an approximately crescent-sluiped partial inclosure 60 is provided to fit over a portion of the bowl. as shown and having the rod reinforcements (ll vertically extending therethrough. the pipes 22 and 23 being connected in substantially the same manner as heretofore explained. By this means the apparatus may be applied in operative relation to various forms of heaters and permit said heaters to be used for purposes other than means for heating the water in the improved apparatus.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus of the class specified, a container having a cover with vapor vents, heating means for the container, water feeding means attached to the container above the bottom of the latter, water outlet means secured to the bottom of the container cut off from communication with the water feeding means, automatically operating devices comprising a valve disposed in the water feeding means, and a freely suspended gravitating water containing controller connected to said valve for operatii'ig the latter, and a connection interposed between the controller and this outlet means whereby the controller is rendered sensitively operativein accordance with the amount of water in the container, the container having no other continuously open outlet except that connected to the controller and the vapor vents of the cover.

2. In an apparatus of the class specified, a container having a cover with vapor vents and provided with heating means, water supply connections attached to the container above the bottom of the latter and including a valve for regulating the inlet of the water to the container, water outlet means attached to the bottom of the container and cut off from communication withthe water supply connections and serving as the sole continuously open outlet for the container, and a suspended water containing gravitating controller movably connected to the valve in the supply connections and having a flexible pipe connection from the bottom thereof to the water outlet means, the water outlet means from the container causing the water to flow solely into the bottom of the gravitating controller to modify the weight of the latter and whereby when the waterreaches a certain level in the container the supply of the container will be shut off, the container having no other continuously open outlet than by way of the gravitating controller and the vapor vents of the cover.

3. In an apparatus of the class specified, awater container provided with means for heating water therein, water supply means connected to the container above the bottom thereof, an outlet pipe connected to the bottom of the container, and means for automatically supplying water to and maintain ing the water at a predetermined level in the container and including a valve controlling the supply of water to the container and provided with an upwardly projecting stem, a rocking lever to one end of which the valve stem is-movably attached, a water receiving gravitating controller suspended from the opposite end of the lever and consisting of a hollow body having a pipe connected to the bottom thereof and to the water outlet pipe for the container, means for adjustably connecting the controller to the rocking lever. and a spring connected to the rocking lever adjacent to the point of attachment of the valve stem thereto and to another portion of the apparatus.

4:. In an apparatus of the class specified, a container provided with water heating means, water inlet and outlet pipes respectively connected to the container above the bottom thereof and to the bottom of the same, the water outlet pipe being cut off from communication with the water inlet pipe, a water supply connected to the inlet pipe and provided with a valve, and a hollow gravitating controller suspended for free operation and connected to the valve of the water supply, said controller having a pipe connected to the bottom thereof and to the outlet pipe of the container to permit the water to have a continuously open outlet solely from the container into the controller to maintain the water level in the controller and container always the same, the vapor escaping through the vents of the cover, the controller being vertically :uljustable to modify the time of operation thereof, a variation in the weight of the controller and water therein by reason of the evaporation of the water in the con-,

tainer due to heat regulating the supply of water to the container.

5. In an apparatus of the class specified, a container provided with water heating means, water supply devices connected to the container and including a valve with a stem, water outlet devices connected to the bottom of the container, a hollow gravitating controller having a pipe connected to the bottom thereof and to a part of the water outlet devices and also provided with a venting stem extending upwardly from the top thereof and adjustably associated with the stem of the valve of the water supply devices, and means for overcoming the normal wei ht of the controller to permit the valve 0' the water-supply devices to remain open until the weight of the controller and water therein exceeds the rcsist-' ance of the said means for overcoming the normal weight of the controller.

6. In an apparatus of the class specified, a container provided with water heating means, water supply devices connected to the container above the bottom of the latter and including a valve with a stem, water outlet devices connected to the bottom of the container, a rocking lever having one extremity connected to the stem of the said valve, a. hollow gravitating controller having a flexible pipe connected to the bottom thereof and to a part of the water outlet devices and also provided with an upwardly extending tubular venting stem adjustably associated with the extremity of the lever opposite to that connected to the valve stem to automatically operate the said valve. and means for overcoming the normal weight of the controller to permit the valve to remain open until the weight of the controller and water therein exceeds the resistance of the said means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

NOAH E. ROYER.

Witnesses:

J. P. Goss, ADAH B. Canon. 

